Blogging Through the Bundle- Strawsome Glass Straws

One of the things I was most excited about in this Healthy Living Bundle was the bonus offer credit towards glass straws. I have been wanting to try glass straws for a while. You think I would have them already, considering the "low waste" factor, but I could never really justify shelling out the dough for them when I could always just you know, drink out of a cup without a straw.

The number 1 reason I wanted to try glass straws was for smoothie drinking. (Smoothie pictured above made green by the addition of collard greens, and idea from the "Green Smoothie Challenge" Book.)

The only container we have large enough to hold our monster green smoothies that we have are ball mason jars. And while I am perfectly capable of drinking it straight from the jar, what tends to happen is I get smoothie gunk on my nose where the rim of the jar hits it, as exhibited in Crappy Selfie.

Crappy Selfie

I was very excited to use my $15.00 credit to Strawsome. I ordered a "straw sample kit" which included one short straw, one short smoothie straw, one tall straw, and one tall smoothie straw.

The tall smoothie straw fits perfectly in my ball canning jar and allows me to sip the green goodness without worrying that I might have gunk on my nose. It is also really easy to clean. They provided a little cleaning brush with it, but I have been just putting it in the dishwasher.

Verdict: Awesome! Why didn't I try this sooner? Oh yeah, I'm cheap.

If you want to try Strawsome, check them out here: Strawsome

I am not affiliated with them, but I am a satisfied customer who uses her smoothie straw every day!!

YUM!

Blogging Through the Bundle: Was the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle Worth Buying?

(photo credit: http://ultimate-bundles.com)


So I came upon this ebook deal, called the "The Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle". Being as I am into e-books, and healthy living I decided to check it out.

It includes 73 ebooks, and a bunch of bonus offers. The total price was $29.95, or $39.95 for the Kindle/ebook version (which I bought).

Being that I have to analyze every purchase to death to make sure it was worth it, I am going to be talking about each book and bonus offer here on the blog, so then when the next sale goes live, I can decide if it was worth the price or not (and maybe you want to know if you should buy it too?)

So far I have already read 3 books.

The first book I read right away .

(image taken from http://ultimate-bundles.com)

Crash Course in Natural Parenting by Karli Von Herbulis

This book is just the basics in Natural Parenting, I will say most of it was stuff I already knew so I was a little disappointed. But, it would be great for someone just embarking on natural parenting.

(image taken from http://ultimate-bundles.com)

The 30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge Guide

I am no stranger to green smoothies. We were whipping them up in our Blendtec long before it was  cool. But, this book motivated me to actually do it every day. In addition, it inspired me to use other greens besides my go to spinach and kale. I would recommend this book if you like green smoothies. Or even if you don't. :)

(image taken from http://ultimate-bundles.com)

Clean and Simple by Stephanie Langford and Writers @ Keeper of the Home

I'm not going to lie- I stopped making my own cleaners since the birth of my baby well, almost a year ago. I have gotten used to the convenience of buying stuff. I was excited about this book because hey- 7 cleaners and you can clean your whole house! The recipes seem very easy and doable. I enjoyed the book, but since I have yet to make the cleaners I cannot vouch for whether they work or not (maybe I should get on that?)


I have more Books of the Bundle waiting for me on Kindle.... Stay tuned!!!

Katie

What I'm Reading 4.16.14

 My sister (the librarian) told me I would love this book, and I have to concur. She knows me well! This is possibly the best book I've read all year.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

I laughed so hard! This is a book by an Australian author about a man with Asperger's (who does not realize he has it) who decides it's time to find a wife. Right now, it is only $1.99 on kindle, but it is quite popular so you can probably find it at your local library!

If you like the Big Bang Theory, you will probably like this book.

What I am Reading 4.22.14

Hello all, Happy Earth Day! Which also happens to be my wedding anniversary. We are celebrating 8 years of marriage :) 8 years and 2 kids later and we still like each other.

The Offspring

I am very excited to share this post from one of my favorite blogs, The American Jesus.

Easter Sunday is over, Now What?

It summarizes very eloquently what I believe:


"If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church yesterday was a complete waste of time.

I often tell people that I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life through the kindness of strangers, the love of family, the grace of friends, and forgiveness from everyone in between." -Zack Hunt

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

Katie

If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church yesterday was a complete waste of time.
I often tell people that I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life through the kindness of strangers, the love of family, the grace of friends, and forgiveness from everyone in between.
- See more at: http://theamericanjesus.net/?p=12077#sthash.KXnf0nkH.dpuf

If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church yesterday was a complete waste of time.
I often tell people that I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life through the kindness of strangers, the love of family, the grace of friends, and forgiveness from everyone in between.
- See more at: http://theamericanjesus.net/?p=12077#sthash.KXnf0nkH.dpuf

If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church yesterday was a complete waste of time.
I often tell people that I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life through the kindness of strangers, the love of family, the grace of friends, and forgiveness from everyone in between.
- See more at: http://theamericanjesus.net/?p=12077#sthash.KXnf0nkH.dpuf

If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church yesterday was a complete waste of time.
I often tell people that I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life through the kindness of strangers, the love of family, the grace of friends, and forgiveness from everyone in between.
- See more at: http://theamericanjesus.net/?p=12077#sthash.KXnf0nkH.dpuf

If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church yesterday was a complete waste of time.
I often tell people that I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life through the kindness of strangers, the love of family, the grace of friends, and forgiveness from everyone in between.
- See more at: http://theamericanjesus.net/?p=12077#sthash.KXnf0nkH.dpuf

What I'm Reading 4.14.14

What I'm reading on the 'net.

The Buyerarchy of Needs-

I try to follow this hierarchy of buyerarchy.


And Lindsay's story of How She Quit the Supermarket


I got a chuckle about Unrecognized Personality Disorders and have to woefully admit I used to suffer from "Normal Personality Disorder."

Sarah over at Live to List is exploring different religious issues. I was interested to read and weigh in on Modesty in Dress.

What are you reading?

Katie

What I'm Reading 4.8.14

I haven't done a "what I am reading" post in a while. I haven't had much time for blogging. Mothering is a lot of work. Really. I don't deal well with lack of sleep and stress. I know probably everyone would say that, but I really don't. I have a "weak constitution".  :)

Anyway, I spend a lot of my time reading. My sister is a librarian and knows what I like, she recommends books to me all the time. Here are a few of my recent favorites.

Home to Woefield by Susan Juby

 This book is about a girl who inherits a farm from her Uncle and goes to live there. It was a funny, lighthearted, read. Probably my favorite of the recent books I have read.

Keeping up with the farm theme, The Lost Husband by Katherine Center is about a widow with children who goes to live on her aunt's farm. I loved this one too! (Not to be confused with "The Husband's Secret", another popular book that I did NOT like.

and

  "Little Heathens Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm during The Great Depression" by Mildred Armstrong Kalish.
This is a non-fiction about a woman's childhood on a farm (as is obvious by the title.) Another great read!

Can you tell I like books about farms? As a kid I always wished I could live on a farm. I wanted to milk cows and collect eggs, which is ironic because I am lactose intolerant and eggs give me diarrhea. Oh well.

What are you reading?

~Katie~

Kindle Book Sale

I am excited to share with you 2 books on sale for Kindle today that have been on my "must read" list for a while.



Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey is on sale for 1.99

And




A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans

On sale for 2.99

I don't know how long these sales  will last!

What I 'm Reading 2.11.14

What I'm Reading this week :

I enjoyed this article a lot about respecting other people and their beliefs/cultures:

Respect by Lorilee Lippincott @ Loving Simple Living

And this:

Why you need to stop judging and put on love by Emily Mclements @ Live Renewed

This article made me think WTF? (and I don't mean why the face) We crapped up our planet and now we are going to crap up the moon?

It's happened, we've outgrown the Earth by Lois Field @ Living Simply Free

And as always, some humor:

Homeless, Hipster, or Redneck? A Guide to Distinguishing the Younger Generation by Kristen Howertown @ Rage Against the Minivan


That's all for now.

Peace,

Katie

What I'm Reading 2.4.14

Yesterday we had yet another snow day and kid 1 was home from school. I don't get much done when he's home, but we sure do have fun :)


So, what I'm reading:


Books:


1.) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


I am a big Jane Austen fan and I have not read this in a while. It is free on kindle!




2.) Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits ( Jane Austen takes the South) by Mary Jane Hathaway





Being a big Jane Austen fan, I am always happy to read books based on hers. I downloaded this for free on kindle and I really enjoyed it.




3.) Believing God Day by Day: Growing your Faith all Year Long by Beth Moore







This was yet another free download on kindle. I like to have a daily devotional reading.






Blogs:


1.) Stupid vs Cancer @ The Art of Simple


This has become my mantra.


2.) Why I took my kid's toys away and why they won't them back @ Living Well Spending Less


I would love to do this. I am interested in how her kids developed more gratitude for the things they have after. We are struggling with gratitude and a big case of the "I want that" right now. I wonder if I could get my husband on board?


Happy Monday  Tuesday!


Katie

What I am Reading 1.29.14

Life has the habit of getting away from me, and it has been a while since I have updated what I am reading. I love reading. I am literally one of those people who doesn't watch television. And I feel like a total nerd (and somewhat pretentious) saying "I don't watch tv, I read!" But I do. I really do.

Books:

1.) The Bible
I am still on track with my Bible in a year reading plan. I am still in Matthew for the new testament but have moved on to Exodus in the old testament (and every time I open it up I start singing the "Exodus" song by Bob Marley. Anyone else do this? Or is it just me?)

2.) The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough To Break the Rules by Carolyn Custis James




I love the tagline of this book. "Loving God Enough to Break the Rules". Cool. I am reading this in my women's bible study, although due to the weather I haven't been in a while. We have had a crazy cold winter here in Pennsylvania so far. As I speak (type?) it is 11 * F.


3.) 32 Going on Spinster by Becky Monsoon





This was a free download on kindle that was unexpectedly great! It made me laugh so hard and I keep recommending it to people I know because I want someone to talk about it with. (If you read it please comment!!)


Blogs:

1.) Living Simply Free Good News Monday by Lois Field

Lois's blog is in my top 5 favorite blogs. It inspires me. I find it to be so helpful without condescending. This article brought me back to the book I read this summer, "Garbology" by Edward Humes.

2.) I'm Sort of Panicking because we're getting rid of our tv by Sarah Mae

This inspired me to cut down on my son's screen time even more. We are trying to limit the WII to 45 minutes a day. (I know.)

3.) Don't Homeschool? Take home to School by Katrina Ryder

This made me feel better about not homeschooling. It seems everyone with a blog homeschools. I do not. I am not against it. If my son was having problems in school I would consider it an option. But, here's the thing- my son goes to a local public school. It is a great school. He likes his teachers, and he likes his friends. He is happy. Son happy = mommy happy. I sat in his class this week to observe, and it reaffirmed that this is what works for him right now.


Well, it's hump day folks. Enjoy the rest of your week!

'till next time

Katie

What I'm Reading/Read 1.13.14

Hey all, it's Monday again. The days go by fast.

What I'm reading around the blogosphere:

Garbage and Excessive Spending by Jacob @ Early Retirement Extreme

Just yeah.


Not Saving for a rainy day by Katrina Ryder

I never thought about it this way. Definitely an interesting read.

My not-so-secret love of fluffy books Anne @ Modern Mrs. Darcy

I read fluff like it's nobodies business. I download most of it for free on kindle, and usually omit the titles when people ask me what I am reading, and somehow justify it's okay because the books are Free.. Because, let's face it, it's kind of embarrassing to admit you love fluff. No one wants to admit they are that girl who loves romantic comedy. (Um, that's me.) I should be reading something I don't know, a little more intellectual or something.

And of course for some humor:

The Most Awkward Jesus Painting I have ever seen by Zack Hunt @ The American Jesus

Delivery room Jesus was my husband and my favorite :)

Happy Monday! I am enjoying our 50 degree heat wave!






Katie

What I'm reading 1.6.14

Wow! I can't believe it is already 2014. I read a lot- here is a bit of what I am reading this week.

Books:

1.) The Bible

I mentioned it is my goal to make it through the Bible this year. (I always seem to get stuck in the Old Testament). I have the New Revised Standard Edition (which I prefer of the English Standard Version). It has an outlined plan to read it through the year day by day- a little bit of the Old and a little bit of the new, which I like. Right now I am at Genesis 13 and Matthew 5 (love the Beatitudes).

2.) I joined an online book group run by Bethany at Piercing the Bubble. We are reading Simple Abundance and having a group discussion through email. Bethany is awesome and I am very excited about this!


3.) I try to keep a fiction book on hand too. I read almost exclusively now on my Kindle, because it is easier while breastfeeding. (Don't get me wrong, I love real books. Nothing beats the smell of a new book..) I download a lot of freebies on my kindle and they are hit or miss. Right now I am reading "Something About Her". It isn't terrible, but it isn't exactly thought provoking. Fine fluff entertainment for middle of the night nursing sessions.




Blogs:

1.) Standard of Living vs. Quality of Life by Jacob at Early Retirement Extreme.

My life looks a lot different than Jacob's, I am not early retired. But, his blog does resonate with me- I like the idea of spending little and being self sufficient. And spending definitely does not define my standard of living.

2.) This is my Brain on Hugs by Jamie the Very Worst Missionary

This cracks me up! I can definitely relate.

3.) Frugal Doesn't Mean Deprived

Yup.

Happy Monday!

Katie

Weekend Reading

It's Sunday, which means the weekend is mostly over. But, I thought I'd share what I've been reading this weekend.

How being frugal means going green

You don't have to buy anything to start being more environmental friendly.

Share your money saving tips

Tips from one of my favorite blogs, "The Non-Consumer Advocate".

If you really want a lot of things to read, check out Friday Faves at "Living Simply Free".

Have a great weekend!

Katie

Weekend Reading

I have been reading the blog "Mr Money Mustache" from the beginning recently (very entertaining) and through that blog found the website Equal Shared Parenting. I was excited to find this website! This is what my husband and I have been doing for the past 6 years since our son was born. We both have been working part time, and sharing his care. It is awesome to see other people doing the same and being advocates for this cause!

My husband loves being able to be such a big part in our son's life! I'd say our main area that needs work is the housework -I still do most of the housework. But sites like this give me the motivation to keep at it!

When I give birth to baby #2, I will be leaving work for a little bit, but I plan on going back 2-3 days a week when baby is almost a year. We are planning to work out a schedule between the 2 of us.

I am also blessed to have my parents and sisters all within 20 minutes, along with my husband's family. (one our reasons for staying in this high cost of living area!) and they are extremely helpful to have around!

Obviously if you are a single parent this set up would not work, but for couples, how do you feel about Equal Shared Parenting?

Katie